Claim CA320:
Scientists are pressured not to challenge the established dogma.
Source:
Watchtower Bible and Tract Society. 1985. Life--How Did It Get Here?
Brooklyn, NY, p. 182.
Response:
- The pressures that science imposes do not weaken the validity of
evolution -- quite the contrary. Scientists are rewarded more for
finding new things, not for supporting established principles. Thus,
they tend to look more for novelties and for results that would
overturn common beliefs. If a scientist found evidence that falsified
evolution, he or she would be guaranteed world prestige and fame.
- Creationists are under far more pressure than scientists. Since their
entire world view is threatened by finding disconfirming evidence, they
are very highly motivated not to admit it. Many creationists have
taken oaths saying that no evidence could change their dogma (AIG
n.d.). At least one admits that he became a scientist not to find the
truth, but to destroy Darwinism (Wells n.d.). The commitment to
established dogma is pretty well monopolized by creationists.
References:
created 2001-2-18